Multiunit printing machine



. June18, 1929.

J. J. HALLIWELL MULTIUNIT ERIN TING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l J1me 18,1929.

J. J. HALLIWELL MULTIUNIT PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 924

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. HALLIWELL, OF TUCKAHOE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO B. HOE AND CO., INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MULTIUNIT PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed September 25, 1924. Serial No. 739,758.

This invention relates to certain improvements in rotary printing machines.

It is the especial object of the invention to provide an improved press arrangement comprising a series or sets of units, each set including a plurality of units and each unit including a printing and perfecting mechanism, these set-s of units being provided with driving mechanism and folders so that the product of all the units of each set may go to one folder or the end units of the sets may be coupled to form other series which may run independently of the remaining units of the series from which such end units have been disconnected, the products of such second series going to-folders of their own so that the end of cylinders of any set or series may be connected to drive with the other units of such sets or may form sets independent of the original sets so that a wide range of combinationsof the units may be obtained. In this arrangement each set of units will be provided with its own driving mechanism and with its own folder, and the driving mechanism and folders may be used without interference with one another and no changes in the driving mechanism, other than disconmeeting a clutch or gear, is necessary totransform the sets of units into sets having different numbers of units.

W'ith this and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel arrangements and combinations of the printing couples, the driving mechanism and folders therefor which will be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features then pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.

Referring now to these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a series of sets-of units arranged in parallel lines and connected to deliver products in five unit combinations, and in which the units of all the sets are arranged in tandem;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic View of the folder and the drive of the upper row of units shown in Figure 1, the viewbeing taken on line w-00 of that figure, in the direction of the arrow, showing the units as arranged to produce the combination shown in Figure 6 on line ww;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the lower set of printing units shown in Figure 1, the view being taken on line y-y of that figure looking in the direction of the arrow, showing the presses as coupled to produce the combination shown in Figure 7 on line y' g of that figure;

Figure 4 is a diagrammaticjend view of the set shown at the left in Figure 1 on line z-z of that figure showing the presses-'21s coupled to produce the combination"" shown in F gure 5, on line z2 of that figure;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the arrangement of the units when coupled to produce a series of sets arranged with five units;

Figure 6 is a diagrammaticplan view showing the arrangement of the units when coupled to produce a series of sets each including four units;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the arrangement of the units when coupled to produce a series of sets each including three units; and

Fi ure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified arrangement. I

Referring now to the drawings, the press selected to show the invention consists in an arrangement of thirty units arranged in series of sets, each set including five units with a driving mechanism, a motor and a folder for each set. The units of each set are arranged in tandem and in frames spaced apart to provide access to the cylinders, the general arrangement of the structure being rectangular. \Vhile such an arrangement has been shown it will be understood that a press arrangement embodying features of the inventionmay be employed in which a less numberv of'units are provided and in which the units are arranged in somewhat different ways.

In press arrangements, however, contemplated by the invention a plurality of sets of units will be provided, each set including a series of units and these units will be arranged so that the end presses may-be driven with the other presses of each set, or so that they may be coupled to form independent sets in which the run of the webs is at right angles to the run of the web of the remaining units of the sets.

In these drawings the presses have been numbered 1 to 30 inclusive arran ed in a series of six sets each set including ve units. Thus, set 200 willinclude units 1-5 inclusive, set 300 will include units 6-10 inclusive, set

ably spaced framework indicated'at 201, 301,.

401, 501, 601 and 701 being indicated for supporting the mechanism. These-frames, if desired, may be tied together by. short frames 202 provided at'the points required.

Each printing. unit willxinclude a print-. ing mechanismincluding a formcylinder 203- and an impression cylinder 204 and a perfecta ing couple including a form cylinder-205 and an impression cylinder 206 and web guides 207 for directingthe webs, as hereinafter referred to.

Each series of units willbe provided w-itha driving motor 208 for the series 200,308 for the series 300, '408 for theseries 400, 508 for the series 500, 608 for the series 600 and 708 for the series 700, and these motors will drive lineshafts 209,309,409, 509, 609.and 709, these drive shafts being arranged alongside the units of each set and each being common to the units of itsset. units will also beprovide'dwith a folder, as folder 211 for the set 200 311 for the. set 300; 411 for the set 400; 511 fo'rthe set .500; 611

for? the set 600 and 711 for the set 700, these folders, so as to avoid interference with other folders hereinafter referred to, being located aboutcentrally of each set of units. Each of the line shafts is provided at its ends with miters G, K and with a pair of clutches F, J.

Extending at right angles to the line shafts 209, etc., are upper line shafts 212, 212', these. line shafts extending across the press arrangement and parallel with the axes of the cylinders of the printing units. These line shafts are provided with. miter gears 213, 313, 413, 513, 613 and 713, these gears being adapted to be brought. into mesh with" the miter gears G on the line shafts 209, etc. The line shafts 212 and 212 are also provided with clutches H, H.

In the particular construction shown, on the other side of the press are a pair of line shafts 214, 215, these line shafts being :11.- ranged parallel with the axes of the cylinders of theprintihg units.v The line shaft 214 is provided with miter gears 216, 316, 41-6 and the line shaft 215 is provided withimiter gears 516, 616 and 716, .these miter gears being in-mcsh wit-lathe miter gears K on the line shafts 209,-etc.

The line shafts 212, 212"are connected to two driving motors B. and G", the line shaft- 214 is connected to driving motorD, and the line shaft 215 is connected to driving'motor E. Up er folders L, L are provided for the units w ich maybe driven from. theline shafts 212, 212"and the lower folders M and N Each of the sets of are provided for the units which may be driven from the line shafts 214, 215.

With this arrangement a different number of sets with varying unit combinations may be produced depending on the-products desired. For instance, the press arrangement may be run to arrange the units in a series of sixsets each including five units delivering to one folder, as shown in Fig. 5. This is accomplished by connecting the clutches F, J and disconnecting the miters 2 13, 313, 413, 513, 613 and 713 from the miters G and the miters 216, etc., from the miters K and slipping clutch H. \Viththiscombination the drive for each'set would be 'from'the motors 208, 308,408, 508, 608 and 708 and the products would go to the folders 211, 311, 411, 511, 611 and 711.

' If noW- it is desired to arrange the press so as to operate with seven sets, each including four units. the units would be'coupled as shown inFigure- 6. With this arrangement the clutches F would be disconnectedand the-- clutches J connected and the-miters G would be engaged With the-miters 213, 313, 413, and

513. The miters K and the-miters 216, 316;-

416, 516, 616and 716 would be-di'sconnected.-

The clutch H would beconnected and the clutch H disconnected. Vith'thisarrangement-the' units 2, 3, 4 and 5 would be driven from motor 208 and delivered to folder 211. The-units 7. 8, 9 and 10 would be-driven-from motor 308 and delivered to folder 311. The-units 12, 1'3, 14 and15 would be driven from motor" 408-and delivered to folder 411. The units- 17, 18, 19 and 20 would be driven-from motor- 508 and delivered to folder 511. The units 22, 23,24 and would be driven from motor 608 and delivered to folder-611. The units 27. 28, 29 and 30 would be driven-from motor-- 708 and delivered to folder-711 and the units 1, 6, 11 and 16 would bedriven from motor B and delivered to folder =L'. When this arrangement is adopted units 21 and 26 could by 10 sets of three units each'may be drivenin accordance with the diagrammatic showing of Figure 7. \Vhen this arrangement is to be used the clutches F and J are disconnected from their line shafts. the clutch H connected and the clutch H disconnected. The miters G areengaged with the miters 213.

313, 413, 513, 613 and 713'and the miters K are engaged with the miters 216, 316, 416,- 516,- 616 andj716. \Vith this arrangement the units 2. 3 and 4 are driven from motor 208- and delivered to folder 211; the units 7 ,8 and 9 are driven from motor 308 and delivered to folder 311; the units 12., 13 and 14 are driven from motor 408 and delivered to folder 411 the units 17,18 and 19 are driven frommotor 508 and delivered to folder 511; the units 22, 23 and 24 are driven from motor 608 and delivered to folder 611; the units 27, 28 and 29 are driven from motor 708 and delivered to folder 711; the units 1,6 and 11 are driven from motor B and delivered to folder L; the units 16, 21 and 26 are driven from motor C and delivered to folder L, the units 5, and are driven from motor D and delivered to folder M and the units 20, and are driven from motor E and de livered to folder N. Thus the press arrangement may be run as a series of ten units, each set comprising three printing couples.

It will be observed that the press arrangement shown may be utilized for a number of sets each including two printing units.

It will be observed that the cylinders all have their axes arranged parallel with each other and the printing units are all in the same plane. \Vhere the press is coupled so as to drive around the corner, as where the units are coupled as shown. in Figures 6 and 7 for instance, suitable turning bars indicated generally by the numeral T and guide rolls indicated by the numeral S are provided for suitably turning the webs of the end units to properly direct them to their respective folders.

In Figure 8 is illustrated another arrangement which can be employed. In this figure are diagrammatically shown two parallel lines of presses a, I), each made up of six printing units, a a a a, a", a, and b b b3; 1), b and 6", arranged with their cylinders parallel. Each line of presses has a line shaft 0, c driving motors d, d d (Z and a folder e. 6 Extending at right angles to the line shafts 0. c is a sh aft 7 driven from a driving motor 7. Additional folders e e, are provided at the ends of the lines, and a side folder 0' at the side of one of the lines. The line shafts c, c are provided with gears g, g

'and the shaft f is provided with gears 1 The line shafts c, 0 have clutches h, h h h, and the line shaft f has a clutch h.

\Vith this arrangement the two end units at one end of the lines may be disconnected from the lines and coupled to form anindependent unit with the webs running at right angles to the other webs. so that the press may be coupled to run as three series of four units each. or as four series of three units each. This may be done as follows: To run as three series. the gears g g are connected,

,and the clutches h h unclutched, and the clutches It, h clutched; units a a (1 and at run as one unit, driven from motor (Z and dcliver to folder 0: units 6 11 b and 7) run as a unit driven from motor d and deliver to folder 0 units a a. 12*, I)", run as a unit driven from motor 7 and deliver to side folder 6.

To run as four series. gears (7 are disconnected; clutches h h clutched; and

clutches h, hfiunclutched units a, a, a ,drive from motor d and deliver to folder 6; units 5 b o drive from motor d and deliver to folder 0*; units a a a, drive from motor (Z and deliver to folder e units 6 ,6 6*, drive from motor (i and deliver to folder 6. It will be understood that by duplicating, etc, the arrangement of F igure 8, various other press combinations may be obtained. It will also he understood thatsuitable bars and guides will be provided for guiding the Webs to the folders in the various press combinations.

While the invention hasbeen shown-and described in its preferred arrangement and with certain combinations which can be provided by suitably coupling the units, it will be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the particular arrangement shown, that by the addition of further units other'and larger combinations could be provided and those shown and described are merely illustrative of the invention.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination of sets "of printing units arranged in parallel lines,1 a folder and driving mechanism for each line, said folder being located between the units, means whereby the end units of the lines-at both ends may be coupled to form'jlines of units independent of the units therebetweemand a folder and driving mechanism 'for each of the, latter lines.

2. The combination of a series of printing units arranged in lines, a folder for each line, a line shaft for eachv line extending transversely to the axes of the'units, a line shaft extending parallel with the axes of the units. means for coupling the end units to either of the line shafts, and means for driving the line shafts independently.

3. The combination of a series of printing units arranged inlines. a folder for each line, a line shaft for each line extending transversely to the axes of the units, line shafts on each end of the units and parallel with the axes of the units, means for coupling the end-units to the transverse or parallel shaft-s, means for driving the line shafts independently, and folders for the units irrespective ofthcir coupled relation with the shafts.

4. The combination of a plurality of printing units arranged in line. a plurality of printing units arranged in line at an angle to the first line, a folder and driving mechanism for one line. said folder being located between the units, a folder and driving mechanism for the other line. and means whereby the unit forming the end unit of both lines may be coupled to run with either line.

5. The combination of a plurality of printing units arranged in line. a plurality of printing units arranged in lines at each end of the first line and at an angle thereto, a

units arranged in line,

series, a folder folder and driving mechanism for each line, and means whereby the units forming the end units of the lines may be coupled to run with either line. a

6. The combination of a series of printing units arranged in line, a series of printing units arranged in a line parallel .with the first series, units between the lines, means for coupling the end units of each of the lines with the units i'therebetween to form other series of units,'folders, and web guides for guiding the Webs to the folders.

7 The combination of a series of printing units arranged :in line, a series of printing units arranged in line parallel with the first series, printingnnits between the lines, and means for coupling the end units of the lines with the units therebetween to form other series of units. 7

8. The combination of a series of printing a series of printing units arranged in line parallel with the first for each of the series, print-. ing units between the lines, means for coupling the end units of the lines with the units 'therebetween to form other series of units, and a folder for each series so formed.

9. The combination of a series of printing units arranged in line, a series of printing units arranged in line parallel therewith, a line shaft in each series extending along the units, printing units between the lines, line shafts for such units extending at right angles to the first shafts, means for coupling the end units of the series to either shaft to form other series, and a folder for each series.

10. The combination of a series of units arranged in line. a series of units arranged in line parallel therewith, printing units between the lines, the cylinders of all the units being parallel, means for coupling the end units of each series to the units therebetween to form other series, a folder for each series, and web guides for guiding the webs to the respective folders.

11; The combination of a series of thirty printing units arranged in parallel lines, a folder for each line, the units to run as six series of five units each without an idle folder in a series.

12. The combination of a series of thirty printing units arranged in parallel lines, a folder for each line, and means for coupling the units to produce seven series of four units each and one group of two units, for each series and for the group, without an idle folder in the lines.

13. The combination of a series of thirty printing units arranged in parallel lines, a

and means for coupling line, a

with a folder folder for each line, and means for coupling the units to produce ten series of three units each. with a folder for each series, without an idle folder in the lines.

14. The con'lbination of printing units arranged in a series of parallel lines, means for coupling two end units at one end of the lines to form a line of units at right angles to the remaining units, and folders between the units of the lines,

15. The combination of printing units arranged in a series of parallel lines, means for coupling the end units at each end of the lines to form lines of units at right angles to the remaining units.

16. The combination of printing units arranged in a series of parallel lines with the cylinders of the units parallel, a folder for each line, means for coupling two end units at one end of the lines to form a line of units at right angles to the remaining units, a folder for such line at right angles to the first folders, and means for guiding the webs to the folders.

17. The combination of printing units arranged in a series of parallel lines with the cylinders of the units parallel, a folderfor each line, means for coupling the end units at each end of the lines to form lines of units at right angles to the remaining units, a folder for each line so formed at right angles to the first folders, and means for guiding the webs to the folders.

18. The combination of four lines of printing units, each line including five printing units, of means for coupling the units to form five lines of printing units, each line including four printing units,,and a folder for each line.

r 19. The combination of three lines of printing units, each line including five printing units, of means for coupling the units to form five lines of printing units, each line including three printing units, and a folder for each line. i

20. The combination of a series of printg units arranged in lines, a folder for each line shaft for each line extending transversely of the'axes of the units, line shafts extending parallel with the axes of the units, means for coupling the end units with either of the line shafts. means for driving the line shafts independently, folders, and web guides for guiding the webs to the folders.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN J. HALLIWELL. 

